Homemade Almond Butter Cups for One

Another title could be “Delicious Lessons in Chocolate and Imperfection.”

I’ve been reading Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, and y’all? I wanted to hate it. I did. Because I felt like I was seeing it everywhere and women were exclaiming it as life-changing, but so often I fall into the trap of reading something based on reviews like that and it’s just meh. Or it’s all stories I’ve heard before, just wordier because they have a word count to hit. Let me just say this: it takes gumption to put your stories out there, and I’m by no means making fun of or discounting the hard, gut-wrenching work that it takes to write a book. The reality is that most times it just doesn’t resound with me the way it apparently does for the rest of the population who reads it.

However.

This book has been amazing since the first page, and it appears to only be getting better as I go. As I write these words I’m currently 1/3 of the way through and wondering how I can finagle the rest of my day tomorrow to just go ahead and finish it. Do my kids really need a parent to be fully present? Or would a little bit of living life on their own be good for them as I gulp up Rachel’s words? They can’t really cook, nor do I feel they would be safe attempting to do so, but surely for one day…?

Here’s the thing that I’m digging about this book: the outright, audacious honesty that she’s sharing is so relatable. Every chapter so far has had me nodding YES all the way through, either for things I’m currently going through or that I have in the past. It’s so rare to find someone being vulnerable who is ACTUALLY BEING VULNERABLE. I think so often we aspire to act the most venerable way we can that’s socially acceptable, and at this moment it’s being authentic or being vulnerable.

But honestly – like, let’s be completely transparent (<—— there’s another popular word right now) – who is really willing to talk about things like shaving their toe hair, peeing their pants, the fact that sex isn’t what movies make it out to be, or the grit that it REALLY takes to chase hard after your dreams? I know I’m not – or least up til this point I haven’t. I could do better. I could share things that would make others feel less alone and more connected. I could ‘fess up to the fact that I take way more selfies than I feel comfortable sharing just to get a decent one (according the my standards) for Instagram. Or that I never sweep my floor until we literally have an obscene amount of dog fur and dust piled up in the corners.

How about the fact that I rarely change my contact lenses, or that I have no clue what I’m doing as a parent, or that I yell at my kids more than I’m comfortable admitting? Or that I’m just kind of tired of trying to take perfect food pictures. It’s my job, and there’s certainly a lot of pride that comes from seeing something come to fruition that I dreamed about…but with kids and dogs and an amazing Beautycounter team and eating well and cleaning (rarely, but I try) and being married and trying to be a good friend and wake up early to work out and read my Bible? Well, sometimes taking the perfect food picture ends up on the back burner, and sometimes good enough will just have to do.

So while I will always be one who tries my best, I will also be someone who realizes that sometimes “best” doesn’t mean perfect, and that’s OK too. I’ve always found perfection boring, and here’s the reality I’m going to hit you with today: imperfection is infinitely more interesting and attractive than perfect could ever be.

Other food bloggers or brands may look at the picture below and give a little eye roll. Readers may look at it and not Pin this page because it’s just not in keeping with their boards aesthetic. I mean, I could have done better – I could have let the cups harden for longer in the freezer and then gently nudged them out with a spoon. The real story, though, is they’re damn good I wanted to eat them…so I kicked up the timeline, took the photo, and dug in.

Which, by the way, is exactly what you should do when you make them.

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to be too busy going hard after some ridiculously huge dreams to worry about appearing perfect or like I have it together. I don’t – have it together, that is – but really no one does. My hope is that with my little pieces of honesty, giving the real real, and striving for better over perfection I can encourage you guys in the dreams and life that you lead.

Here’s to imperfection, y’all. It looks good on us!

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE ALMOND BUTTER CUPS FOR ONE

SERVES 1

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (I love Enjoy Life brand)

2 teaspoons almond butter of choice (I love this version from Maranatha)

1/8 teaspoon coconut oil

2 whole almonds (optional garnish)

Directions:

On a small piece of wax paper or parchment paper place the almond butter in two mounds.

Place these in the freezer; 1-2 hours is ideal, although even 20 minutes would help significantly. You could also make these just spooning the almond butter out of the jar, but know that the almond butter will be harder to handle.

In a microwave-safe bowl combine the chocolate and the coconut oil.

Heat in 20-second increments in the microwave on high, stirring in between, until smooth.

Allow the chocolate to cool for about 5 minutes.

Lightly grease (I used coconut oil) two very small ramekins or two wells in a mini muffin tin.

Spoon 1/4 of the chocolate mixture into each one.

Place the almond butter (either from the freezer or directly from the jar) into the middle of the chocolate, allowing the chocolate to go up the sides of the almond butter.

Spoon the remaining chocolate on top of the almond butter, smoothing it out on top until the almond butter is totally covered.

Place an almond in the middle of each if using.

Place the ramekins or muffin tin in the freezer for about 30-40 minutes.

To loosen the chocolate, gently run some hot water along the bottom and then use a spoon to gently push the cups out of the molds.